Coffee brewing device



Feb. 4, 19 9 E. C. VITT OE COFFEE BREWING DEVICE Sheet ot- 5 OriginalFiled May 13, 1965 nv VENT-on.- ENIOCH C. VITT0EJ Feb. .4, 1969 E. c.VITTOE 3,425,337

COFFEE BREWING DEVICE Original Filed May 13, 1965 Sheet 2 INI EA/TORfEN/OCH C. VITTOE Feb. 4, 1969 E. c. VITTOE 3,425,337

COFFEE BREWING DEVICE Original Filed May 13, 1965 Sheet 3 of 5 HTTORNEYSUnited States Patent 3,425,337 COFFEE BREWING DEVICE Enioch C. Vittoe,1213 S. Pasfield,

Springfield, II]. 62704 Original application May 13, 1965, Ser. No.455,435, now

Patent No. 3,369,477, dated Feb. 20, 1968. Divided and a thisapplication Aug. 22, 1967, Ser. No. 662,358 US. Cl. 99-281 9 Claims Int.Cl. A473 31/057, 31/56 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coffee-brewingdevice has a' water-heating tank, a water-supplying system whichmaintains a substantiallyconstant level of water within thatWater-heating tank, a funnel in which ground coffee can be held, awater-distributing spray connected to the outlet of that water-heatingtank and which sprays hot water onto the ground coffee in that funnel,and a support which can selectively dispose the water-distributing sprayabove the water level in that water-heating tank to prevent the sprayingof Water onto that ground coffee or can dispose that waterdistributingspray below that water level to cause water to spray into that groundcoffee. That Water-distributing spray coacts with that water level toserve as a water distributor, as a flow rate control, and as an on-offvalve.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Ser. No.455,435 for Coffee-Brewing Devices which was filed on May 13, 196-5 andwhich was granted on Feb. 20, 1968, as Letters Patent No. 3,369,477.

This invention relates to improvements in coffee-brewing devices. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to improvements in coffee-brewingdevices that can brew sizable quantities of coffee and then keep thatcoffee hot.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide animproved coffee-brewing device that can brew a sizable quantity ofcoffee and then keep that coffee hot.

Coffee-brewing devices, that can brew sizable quantities of coffee andthen keep that coffee hot, have been known for some time; and a numberof those coffeebrewing devices have been used. Some of thosecoffebrewing devices have utilized solenoid-operated water valves thathad the inlet ports thereof connected to the local water supply and thathad the outlet ports thereof connected to the water-heating tanks ofthose devices; and those solenoid-operated water valves were openable tointroduce water into those tanks. Electric heaters in thosewater-heating tanks heated the Water to coffee-brewing temperatures;and, whenever quantities of coffee were to be brewed, thesolenoid-operated water valves were opened to introduce further waterinto those tanksthereby raising the water levels in those tanks andcausing the hot water to flow out through outlets adjacent the tops ofthose tan-ks. The solenoid-operated water valves remained open forpredetermined periods of time, controlled by timing devices, and thenclosedremaining closed until the next quantities of coffee were to bebrewed.

The hot water in such coffee-brewing devices vaporizes continuously;and, where one of those devices is not used for several hours, theamount of hot water that is lost by vaporization can be great enough toappreciably reduce the amount of hot water that will be delivered fromthe water-heating tank of that device during the next coffee-brewingoperation. The reduced amount of hot Water available for that nextcoffee-brewing operation is objectionable, because it brews less coffeeand also removes less of the flavorful components of the ground coffee.That reduced amount of hot water available for that next coffee-brewingoperation also is objectionable, because it will be at alower-than-usual temperature. The

ice

reduced level of water in the water-heating tank also is objectionablebecause it wastes powerby permitting heat from the electric heaters tobe dissipated into the air in the water-heating tanks. If one of thesaid coffee-brewing devices is left inactive for many hoursover aholiday or week-end-the hot water in the water-heating tank of thatdevice can vaporize so extensively that the electric heater becomes freeof water, becomes overheated, and burns out. As a result coffee-brewingdevices, that can brew sizable quantities of coffee and then keep thatcoffee hot, that use solenoid-operated water valves to introduce waterinto the water-heating tanks thereof are objectionable. It would bedesirable to provide a coffee-brewing device, that could brew a sizablequantity of coffee and then keep that coffee hot, that did not require asolenoidoperated water valve to introduce water into the waterheatingtank thereof. The present invention provides such a coffee-brewingdevice; and it does so by utilizing a cool water tank in addition to awater-heating tank, and by using a float valve to control theintroduction of water into that cool water tank. That float valve willalways keep the electric heater of that device fully immersed in water,irrespective of how long the coffee-brewing device is left inactive; andhence it will keep that electric heater from becoming free of water,from overheating, and from burning out. It is, therefore, an object ofthe present inrvention to provide a coffee-brewing device, that can brewa sizable quantity of coffee and then keep it hot, that has a cool watertank in addition to a water-heating tank, and that uses a float valve tocontrol the introduction of water into that cool water tank.

The provision, in the coffee-brewing device of the present invention, ofa cool water tank in addition toa waterheating tank is desirable,because it enables the warm air, in the room where that coffee-brewingdevice is located, to provide a pre-heating of the water to be used inbrewing the coffee. The water that flows out of the taps and faucets ofa building is usually cooler than the air within that building; and,where that water is introduced directly into the water-heating tank of acoffee-brewing device, heat must be used to raise the temperature ofthat water to the level of the temperature of the air in that building,and then further heat must be used to raise the temperature of thatwater to the coffee-brewing level. Where the water is initiallyintroduced into the cool water tank, as in the coffee-brewing device ofthe present invention, the warm air in the room where that device islocated and the heat radiated from the water-heating tank of that devicewill pre-heat the water in the cool water tank. Consequently, the totalcost and the total time for heating the water to coffee-brewingtemperatures are reduced.

The water in the water-heating tank of the coffee-brewing device of thepresent invention is heated by submersion-type electric heaters; and athermostat is provided to control the energiation of those heaters. Thatthermostat has a temperature-sensitive bulb which is disposed within thewater in the water-heating tank of that device. It is desirable, as soonas hot water is drawn from the water-heating tank of that device, toenerigze the electric heaters; because prompt energization of thoseelectric heaters will help make the rest of the hot water drawn fromthat tank hot enough to effectively utilize the flavorful components ofthe coffee. Prompt energization of those electric heaters also isdesirable to insure quick heating of the cool water which flows into thewater-heating tank to replace the hot water that is drawn off. Thepresent invention initiates prompt energization of the electric heaters,whenever hot water is drawn from the waterheating tank, by using a floatvalve to control the introduction of water into the cool water tank, byforming the upper portion of the water-heating tank so that withdrawalof even small amounts of water from that water-heating tank will quicklylower the level of the water in that water-heating tank and hence in thecool water tank, and by providing a connection between the cool watertank and the water-heating tank which will direct the cool water fromthe cool water tank toward the temperaturesensitive bulb of thethermostat. With this arrangement, cool Water will flow into thewater-heating tank as soon as hot water is drawn from that tank, andthat cool water will be directed toward the temperature-sensitive bulbof the thermostat; and that bulb will respond to that cool water tocause the thermostat to energize the electric heaters. As a result, theelectric heaters of the coffee-brewing device provided by the presentinvention will be energized as soon as hot water is drawn from thewater-heating tank of that device. It is, therefore, an object of thepresent invention to provide a coffee-brewing device with a float valveto control the introduction of water into a cool water tank, to form theupper portion of the water-heating tank so the withdrawal of even smallamounts of water from that water-heating tank will quickly lower thelevel of the Water in that water-heating tank and hence in the coolwater tank, and to provide a connection between the cool water tank andthe water-heating tank which will direct the cool water from the coolwater-heating tank which will direct the cool water from the cool watertank toward the temperature-sensitive bulb of a thermostat.

The water pressures of local water supplies vary from locality tolocality; and those varied water pressures tend to uncontrollably varythe rates at which hot water is delivered to the ground coffee incoffee-brewing devices that can brew sizable quantities of coffee andthen keep that coffee hot. Any uncontrolled variations in the rates atwhich hot water is delivered to the ground coffee in coffee-brewingdevices, that can brew sizable quantities of coffee and then keep thatcoffee hot, is objectionable; because those variations uncontrollablyvary the volume and strength of the brewed coffee. Flow-controllingvalves have been used in coffee-brewing devices, that can brew sizablequantities of coffee and then keep that coffee hot, in an effort tominimize the uncontrolled variations in the rates at which hot water isdelivered to the ground coffee in those coffee-brewing devices; butflow-controlling valves tend to lime up. All liming up of such valves isobjectionable, because it decreases the amounts of water that can flowthrough those valves during any given period of time. Consequently, itwould be desirable to provide a coffee-brewing device, that could brewsizable quantities of coffee and that keep that coffee hot, that did notrequire a flow-controlling valve. The present invention provides such acoffee-brewing device; and its does so by providing a vertically-movablewater-distributing spray that coacts with the float valve tosubstantially eliminate variations in the rates at which hot water isdelivered to the ground coffee. The float valve maintains closelycontrolled levels of water within the cool water tank and within thewater-heating tank; and the vertically-movable water-distributing sprayis normally held above those levels, to hold the hot water within thewater-heating tank, but is selectively lowered to a position below thoselevels, to permit that hot water to spray onto the ground coffee. Whenthat vertically-movable water-distributing spray is in its loweredposition, it coacts with the float valve to establish a closelycontrolled hydraulic head; and that hydraulic head causes the hot waterto spray onto the ground coffee at a controlled and uniform rate. It is,therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a coffeebrewingdevice, that can brew sizable quantities of coffee and then keep thatcoffee hot, that has a vertically-movable water-distributing spray and afloat valve.

The vertically-movable water-distributing spray of the present inventionis used in lieu of one of the spray nozzles customarily used incoffee-brewing devices that brew sizable quantities of coffee and thenkeep that coffee hot. This is desirable; because that vertically-movablewaterdistributing spray is resistant to liming up, whereas those spraynozzles are not, and because that verticallymovable water-distributingspray is readily cleaned, whereas those spray nozzles are not.Specifically, that vertically-movable water-distributing spray is madeas a perforated length of flexible tubing with a removable plug in thefree end thereof; and the material of which that vertically-movablewater-distributing spray is made is highly resistant to liming up.Moreover, the flexible nature of the material of which thatvertically-movable water-distributing spray is made coacts with theremovable plug in the free end of that vertically-movablewaterdistributing spray to make it very easy to clean thatvertically-movable water-distributing spray. It is, therefore, an objectof the present invention to provide a verticallymovablewater-distributing spray that is made as a perforated length of flexibletubing with a removable plug in the free end thereof.

The lowered position of the vertically-movable waterdistributing spray,provided by the present invention, can be adjusted; and hence the rateat which the hot water is sprayed onto the ground coffee can beadjusted. This is desirable; because different grinds and kinds ofcoffee should have hot water sprayed onto them at different rates. Itis, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide acoffee-brewing device wherein the lowered position of thevertically-movable water-distributing spray can be adjusted to adjustthe rate at which hot water is applied to the ground coffee.

The vertically-movable water-distributing spray of the present inventionis moved down to its lowered position, and then is held in thatposition, by a mechanism which is controlled by a timer. That timer hasan adjustable cycle; and this mean that both the rate of application andthe duration of application of hot water to the ground coffee areadjustable. As a result, the coffee-brewing device provided by thepresent invention can easily accommodate many different grinds and kindsof coffee. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention toprovide a coffee-brewing device, that can brew sizable quantities ofcoffee and then keep that coffee hot, that can adjust the loweredposition of the vertically-movable water-distributing spray thereof, andthat can adjust the length of time during which that vertically-movablewater-distributing spray applies hot water to the ground coffee.

The mechanism that moves the vertically-movable water-distributing spraydown to its lowered position has a manually-operable release whichenables that verticallymovable water-distributing spray to be moved downinto and held in that lowered position and then moved back up to itsnormal position independently of the timer. This is desirable; becauseit enables the coffee-brewing device of the present invention to provideany desired quantities of hot water for brewing tea or for making hotchocolate. Further, this is desirable, because it enables the operatorof that coffee-brewing device to make even very small quantities ofcoffee, if she so desires. It is, therefore, an object of the presentinvention to provide a coffee-brewing device wherein the positioning ofthe vertically-movable water-distributing spray is normally controlledby a timer but can be selectively controlled by a mechanism which has amanually-operable release.

In the coffee-brewing devices that brew sizable quantities of coffee andthen keep that coffee hot, the ground coffee is customarily held withina filter, and that filter is customarily held within a funnel. Duringthe brewing of the coffee, hot water is directed onto the ground coffe,and the resulting brewed coffee flows freely through the filter to thespout of the funnel and thence into a dispensing container. While mostof the brewed coffee promptly fiows out of that funnel and into thatcontainer, some small amounts of brewed coffee tend to remain withinthat funnel and then drip from the spout of that funnel as that funnelis removed from the coffee-brewing device to facilitate the removal anddisposal of the filter and the spent coffee grounds. All such drippingis objectionable; and the present invention prevents such dripping bydisposing the spout of the funnel adjacent that side of the funnel whichbears the handle, and by providing projections on the supports for thatfunnel which force the operator to tilt that funnel as she withdrawsthat funnel from its position beneath the vertically-movablewater-distributing spray. The enforced tilting of that funnel will forceany residual brewed coffee within that funnel to flow away from thespout; and hence that brewed coffee will not be able to drip from thatspout as that funnel is removed from the coffee-brewing device. It is,therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a funnel, for acoffee-brewing device, which has the spout thereof located adjacent thehandle thereof, and to provide projections on the funnel-supportingportions of that device which force that funnel to tilt and raise thespout thereof upwardly as that funnel is removed fromthat device.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention shouldbecome apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanyingdescription.

In the drawing and accompanying description a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is shown and described but it is to be understoodthat the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose ofillustration only and do not limit the invention and that the inventionwill be defined bythe appended claims.

In the drawing, FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment 'ofcoffee-brewing device that is made in accordance with the principles andteachings of the present invention, as that device appears when the topsof the tanks and the hinged cover have been removed,

FIG. 2 is a front elevational View of the colfee brewing device shown inFIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a partially broken-away, partially sectioned view of theright-hand side of the coffe brewing device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a partially broken-away, partially sectioned view of theleft-hand side of the coffee-brewing device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a vertical section through the coffee-brewing device of FIG.1, and it is taken along the broken plane indicated by the broken line55 in FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the coffee-brewing device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a vertical section, on a larger scale, that is takenapproximately along the line 77 in FIG. 3, but the conductors have beendeleted,

FIG. 8 is a vertical section, on the scale of FIG. 7, of part of theactuating mechanism of the coffee-brewing device of FIG. 1, and it istaken approximately along the line 77 in FIG. 3,

FIG. 9 is a partially broken-away section through the coffee-brewingdevice of FIG. 1, and it is taken along the line 99 in FIG. 7, and it ison a still larger scale,

FIG. 10 is another sectional view through the coffeebrewing device ofFIG. 1, and it is taken along the line 1010 in FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the grid used in the funnel of thecoffee-brewing device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 12 is a partially broken-away, partially sectioned view, on a scaleintermediate those of FIGS. 1 and 7, showing the water-distributingspray in its lowered position, and

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the right-hand side of the hingedcover for the coffee-brewing device of FIG. 1.

Components of coffee-brewing device Referring to the drawing in detail,the numeral 30 denotes a platform for one preferred embodiment ofcoffeebrewing device that is made in accordance with the principles andteachings of the present invention. That platform is hollow, and the topthereof has a circular opening 31 in which an electric heating elementof standard and usual design is disposed. That electric heating elementwill underlie a conventional container 33 for brewed coffee, and it willkeep that container and the brewed coffee therein at a desiredtemperature.

Disposed rearwardly of the platform 30, and connected thereto, is a base42. That base is hollow; and, as shown particularly by FIGS. 24, it ismore than twice as high as the platform 30. A cool water tank 34 issecured to, and extends upwardly from, the base 32; and a water-'heating tank 36 also is secured to, and extends upwardly from, thatbase. The water tanks 34 and 36 are close to each other, as shownparticularly by FIGS. 1 and 5. Also as shown by FIGS. 1 and 5, the tank34 is smaller than the tank 36. If desired, the exterior of thewater-heating tank 36 could be encased within a sheath of insulation.

A bracket 38, which has an offset intermediate the top and bottomthereof, is secured to the front of the tank 36 adjacent the top of thattank. The offset in that bracket disposes the upper portion of thatbracket forwardly of the rear portion of that bracket; and the rearportion of that bracket is secured to the front of the tank 36. AnL-shaped bracket 40 is bent so the upwardly-extending upper arm thereofis parallel to the upper portion of the bracket 38, and so thehorizontally-directed lower arm thereof has its narrow edges at the topand bottom thereof. The upwardly-extending upper arm of that bracket isfixedly secured to the bracket 38, and thus to the front of thewater-heating tank 36. The free end of the horizontally-directed lowerarm is bent outwardly; and a projection 42 is formed on the upper edgeof that horizontally-directed lower arm close to the free end of thatarm. That projection has an abrupt, vertically-directed rear face andhas an inclined :front face. The numeral 44 denotes a generally similarL-shaped bracket; and the up wardly-extending rear arm of that bracketis secured to the front face of the cool water tank 34. Thehorizontallydirected lower arm of the bracket 44 has the free endthereof bent outwardly; and hence that free end coacts with the free endof the horizontally-directed lower arm of the L-shaped bracket 40 toconstitute converging guides for the funnel of the cotfee brewingdevice. A projection 46 is formed on the upper surface of thehorizontally-directed lower arm of the L-shaped bracket 44; and thatprojection is substantially identical to the projection 42 on thehorizontally-directed lower arm of the L-shaped bracket 40. A bar 48extends horizontally between and interconnects the upper ends of theupwardly-extending upper arms of the L-shaped brackets 40 and 44. A bar50 extends horizontally between and interconnects the rear ends of thehorizontally-directed lower arms of the L-shaped brackets 40 and 44. Astop 52 is secured to the bar 50, adjacent the center of that bar; andthat stop extends forwardly a short distance from that bar. That stophas an offset therein, so the forward-most end of that stop is disposedabove the level of the bar 50.

The numeral 54 denotes a U-shaped conduit which has the upper end of onearm thereof extending upwardly through the bot-tom of the cool watertank 34, and which has the upper end of the other arm thereof extendingupwardly through the bottom of the water-heating tank 36. In the saidpreferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper ends of thearms of the U-shaped conduit 54 extend about one inch above the innersurfaces of the bottoms of the tanks 34 and 36. That U-shaped conduitenables the water within the tanks 34 and 36 to have the same level; butthe disposition of the upper ends of the arms of that conduit about oneinch above the inner surfaces of the bottoms of those tanks minimizesany tendency of the hot water in the tank 36 to pass through thatconduit and enter the tank 34. Also, the disposition of the upper end ofthe right-hand arm of the conduit '54, as that conduit is viewed in FIG.5, about one inch above the inner surface of the tank 36, causes thewater entering that tank to tend to move upwardly.

The numeral 56 denotes a float-operated inlet valve which is locatedadjacent the top of the rear wall of the cool water tank 34. A float 58is suitably connected to the movable element of that valve by an arm;and that float will permit that valve to open whenever the water levelin the tank 34 falls below a predetermined level. A hose 60 is connectedto the inlet port of the valve 56, and that hose is readily connectableto a faucet or other pipe fitting of the local water supply.

The numeral 62 denotes the upper portion of the front Wall of the tank36; and that upper portion inclines upwardly and rearwardly, as shown byFIG. 3. That upper portion of that front wall reduces the volume ofwater which can be held within the upper part of the tank 36. This isdesirable; because it makes certain that the level of water in the tank36 will drop quickly whenever hot water is drawn from that tank. As thelevel of the water in the tank 36 drops quickly, the level of the waterin the tank 34 also will drop quickly; and, consequently, the inletvalve 56 will open promptly. The resulting prompt introduction of coolwater into the tank 36 by the righthand arm of the U-shaped conduit 54will cause cool water to quickly contact the temperature-sensitive bulb116 of the thermostat 114.

The numeral 64 denotes a pipe nipple which is secured to the upperportion 62 of the front wall of the tank 36 in a water-tight connection.The numeral 66 denotes the water-distributing spray provided by thepresent invention; and that spray preferably is a length of flexibletubing which has one end thereof telescoped over the free end Olf thenipple 64 in water-tight fashion. The outer end of thewater-distributing spray 64 is normally closed by a removable plug 67. Anumber of openings 68 are formed in the under face of thewater-distributing spray 66, and those openings are spaced both axiallyand circumferentially of that water-distributing spray. However, all ofthe openings 68 are formed so they are directed downwardly rather thanhorizontally or upwardly.

The numeral 70 denotes a lever which has one end thereof secured to thebar 48 by a hinge, and which has the free end thereof bent downwardly togive that lever a generally L-shaped configuration. An opening 72 isformed in the downwardly-bent end of the lever 70; and that openingfreely accommodates a wire-like support 74. The ends of that wire-likesupport are formed into loops; and those loops are telescoped over thewater-distributing spray 66. One of those loops is located closelyadjacent the free end of the water-distributing spray 66, while theother of those loops is located a short distance forwardly of theupwardly-extending upper arms of the L-shaped brackets 40 and 44. Theopening 72 in the downwardlybent free end of the lever 70 coacts withthe wire-like support T4 to permit the free end of thewater-distributing spray to be moved easily between the normal raisedposition shown by FIGS. 2-4, and the lowered position shown by FIG. 12.Whenever the water-distributing spray 66 is in its normal raisedposition, all of the openings 68 in that spray are disposed above thewater level maintained in the tanks 34 and 36 by the float-operatedinlet valve 56; and hence no water will flow outwardly through thoseopenings. However, whenever the water-distributing spray 66 is in itslowered position, all of the openings 68 in that spray are disposedbelow the level of the water in the tank 36; and hence water will fillthat spray and flow outwardly through those openings. The float-operatedinlet valve 56 will closely control the level of water in the tanks 34and 36; and hence, whenever the water-distributing spray 66 is in itslowered position, a closely controlled hydraulic head will be applied tothe water within that spray. That closely controlled hydraulic head willcause hot water to flow outwardly through the openings 68 at a uniformrate, irrespective of whether the pressure of the local water supply ishigh or low.

The numeral 76 denotes an elongated shaft which has the front endthereof journaled in the platform 30 and which has the rear end thereofjournaled in the base 32. The [front end of that shaft projectsforwardly beyond the front of the platform 30, and a knob 78 is securedto that front end. A generally circular disk 80 is loosely mounted onthe shaft 76, adjacent the rear end of that shaft, so that shaft can berotated relative to that disk. An L-shaped arm 81 is fixedly secured tothe shaft 76, at a point immediately forward of the disk 80; and theshank of that arm extends radially outwardly from that shaft, while thefoot of that arm extends axially toward the rear end of that shaft. Theshank of that L-shaped arm is long enough so the foot of that arm isdisposed radially outwardly beyond the periphery of that disk. Asindicated by FIG. 7, the foot of the arm '81 overlies the periphery ofthe disk 80. A generallyrectangular notch 82 is formed in the peripheryof the disk 80; and an ear 84 is formed on the disk 80 so it projectsforwardly from the plane of the front face of that disk. As indicated byFIG. 7, the ear 84 is spaced more than one hundred and twenty degreesaway from the notch 82. A sleeve 86 extends rearwardly from the rearface of the disk 80; and that sleeve is spaced just a few degrees fromthe ear 84. A mercury switch 87 is secured to the rear face of the disk80, as shown by FIG. 6; and, whenever that disk is in a position wherethe notch 82 is at the top of that disk, the mercury in the switch 87will bridge the contacts of that switch. Whenever the mercury in thatswitch is spaced away from the contacts of that switch, the notch 82 inthat disk will be spaced away from the top of that disk.

A connecting rod 88 has the lower end thereof secured within the sleeve86 carried by the disk 80; and that rod extends upwardly through anopening in the bar 50. That opening and the sleeve 86 guide and confinethe connecting rod 88 while permitting substantially free verticalmovement of that rod. The numeral 90 denotes an L-shaped bracket whichis secured to the upper end of the connecting rod 88; and the front ofthat L-shaped bracket extends forwardly from the connecting rod 88 tooverlie part of the lever 70. A helical extension spring 92 is securedto the connecting rod 88 and also to the water-heating tank 36. Thathelical extension spring biases the L-shaped bracket 90 upwardly andalso biases the disk 80 for rotation in the counterclockwise directionin FIG. 7. A helical extension spring 93 is secured to a pin in theshaft 76 and also to the platform 30. That helical extension springbiases the shaft 76 for rotation in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7.

A bolt 94 extends through an opening in the lever 70 and also extendsthrough an opening in the foot of the L-shaped bracket 90; and the headof that bolt underlies and supports the lever 70. A helical compressionspring 96 encircles the shank of the bolt 94, and a washer and a nut 98are fitted onto the shank of that bolt above the level of the foot ofthe L-shaped bracket 90. The nut 98 can be rotated relative to the shankof the bolt 94 to adjust the normal spacing between the lever 70 and thefoot of the L-shaped bracket 90. That spacing will determine the normalposition of the water-distributing spray.

The numeral 100 denotes an electrically-driven, adjustable cycle timerwhich is mounted on the base 32 adjacent the rear of the platform 30;and that timer has a releasing cam 102. The mercury switch 87 is connected to and controls the energization of the timer 100. The numeral104 denotes a pivot which is secured to the platform 30 and to the base32, and that pivot is horizontally-directed. A latch 106 has a hub atone end rotatably held by the pivot 104; and the other end of that latchoverlies and is engageable by the releasing cam 102 of the timer 100. Acatch 108 is provided on the under face of the latch 106; and that catchis dimensioned to extend into the notch 82 in the periphery of the disk80 to hold that disk against rotation.

The numeral 110 denotes a submersion-type electric heater, and amounting block 113 secures the upper end of that electric heater to thewater-heating tank 36. The lower end of that heater extends downwardlyinto that tank and extends close to the bottom of the tank. While justone heater has been shown, a plurality of electric heaters ispreferable. Also, While a bent electric heater is shown, straightelectric heaters are very useful. The thermostat 114, which is used tocontrol the power supplied to the electric heater 110, has thetemperaturesensitive bulb 116 thereof adjacent to the U-shaped conduit54. The thermostat 114 is of the adjustable type; and it is mounted onthe base 32 adjacent the rear of the platform 30. That thermostat can beset to establish different temperature levels for the water within thewaterheating tank 36.

A removable cover plate 118 is normally set in position adjacent therear of the platform 30 and adjacent the front of the base 32. Thatremovable cover plate will provide an attractive and utilitarianappearance for the front of the base 32 and will also keep unauthorizedpersons from changing the temperature setting of the thermostat 114 andfrom changing the length of the cycle of the timer 100'.

The funnel 120 has a generally flat bottom and has generallyfrusto-conical sides. The diameter of the bottom of that funnel issmaller than the diameter of the top of that funnel; and the top of thatfunnel has an outwardly-extending flange. The top of that funnel isdimensioned to fit freely between the confronting faces of thehorizontally-directed lower arms of the L-shaped brackets 40 and 44, butthe outwardly-extending flange on that top is dimensioned to projectoutwardly beyond, and to overlie and to be supported by, thosehorizontallydirected arms. The outwardly-extending flange at the top ofthe funnel 120 is dimensioned to fit under the upwardly-olfset portionof the stop 52. That stop will coact with the horizontally-directed armsof the L-shaped brackets 40 and 44 to prevent accidental tilting of thefunnel 120 relative to those horizontally-directed arms.

A handle 122, of standard and usual configuration, is provided for thefunnel 120; and that handle can be grasped by the user of thecoffee-brewing device to dispose that funnel in position atop thehorizontallydirected arms of the L-shaped brackets 40 and 44 and toremove that funnel from that position. A spout 124 is provided for thefunnel 120; and that spout is spaced away from the geometric center ofthe bottom of that funnel. Specifically, that spout is located adjacentthat portion of the bottom of the funnel 120 which is close to thehandle 122. A grid 126 is disposed within the funnel 120; and that gridwill normally be disposed a short distance above the upper face of thebottom of that funnel. However, that grid can easily be moved away fromthat upper face for cleaning purposes.

The numeral 128 denotes a cover which is suitably hinged to theupwardly-extending upper arms of the L-shaped brackets 40 and 44. Thatcover has a recess therein which normally telescopes down over, andconceals, the water-distributing spray 66. That cover normally overliesthe funnel 120 whenever that funnel is in position atop thehorizontally-directed arms of the L-shaped brackets 40 and 44. However,that cover can be rotated upwardly to facilitate the adjustment,cleaning or replacement of the components which it normally conceals.

Operation of cofiee-brewing device Whenever the coiTee-brewing deviceprovided by the present invention is to be installed in a restaurant,hotel, or other place, the hose 60 will be connected to a faucet orother fitting of the water system; and water will then enter the coolwater tank 34 through the float-operated inlet valve 56. A suitablecover, not shown,.will be provided for the cool water tank 34. As waterenters the cool water tank 34, that water will pass downwardly into theU-shaped conduit 54 and then rise upwardly in the water-heating tank 36.When the level of the water in both tanks is high enough to raise thefloat 58 far enough to shut off the float-operated inlet valve 56,further introduction of water into the cool water tank 34 will beprevented. At such time, the conductors which are connected to theelectric heater 110 via the thermostat 114 will be inserted in asuitable receptacle. Thereupon, that electric heater will start heatingthe water in the water-heating tank 36; and that electric heater willcontinue to heat that water until the temperature of that water reachesthe desired value. At such time, the thermostat 114 will de-energizethat electric heater; but it will immediately re-energize that electricheater whenever the temperature of the water adjacent thetemperature-sensitive bulb 116 falls below a second predetermined level.

When the temperature of the water in the water-heating tank 36 reachesthe desired level, the user can insert a filter 130 within the funnel120 and can then pour the desired amount of ground coffee 132 onto thatfilter. Thereafter, the user will move that funnel into register withthe space defined by the horizontally-directed arms of the L-shapedbrackets 40 and 44, and will then move the flange at the top of thatfunnel into engagement with the inclined front faces of the projections42 and 46 on those arms. Those inclined faces will guide the flange atthe top of the funnel 120 upwardly over those projections. As thatflange is forced upwardly over those projections, it will engage thecover 128 and force that cover to rotate upwardly far enough to enablethat flange to pass over those projections. Once that flange has passedrearwardly of those projections, that flange will move downwardly andcome to rest upon the upper edges of the horizontally-directed arms ofthe L-shaped brackets 40 and 44; and, at that time, the cover 128 willmove downwardly and rest upon that flange.

The operator can then grasp the knob 78 and rotate that knob in theclockwise direction in FIG. 2; and, as that knob is so rotated, theL-shaped arm 81 thereon will move into engagement with the forwardlyextending ear 84 on the disk and force that disk to rotate in theclockwise direction. That rotation will move the notch 82 from theinitial position shown by FIG. 7 toward the latching position shown byFIG. 8; and it will cause the sleeve 86 and the connecting rod 88 topull the L-shaped bracket 90 downwardly and thereby permit thewaterdistributing spray 66 to move to the lowered position shown by FIG.12, while also causing the mercury switch 87 to complete the circuit tothe timer 100. As the waterdistributing spray is moved to the loweredposition shown by FIG. l2, hot water will flow through the nipple 64into that spray, and will then flow through the openings 68 and sprayonto the ground coffee 132 held by the filter 130 within the funnel 120.That hot water will brew the coffee, and the brewed coffee will thendrain from the spout 124 of the funnel 120 into the container 33 whichunderlies that spout.

As the hot water flows outwardly through the nipple 64 and then throughthe water-distributing spray 66, the level of the water in thewater-heating tank 36 will quickly dropbecause of the inclination of theupper portion 62 of the front of the wall of that tank-and water fromthe cool water tank 34 will pas through the U-shaped conduit 54 andreduce the temperature of the water adjacent the temperature-sensitivebulb 116 of the thermostat 114. That bulb will quickly close thecontacts of that thermostat to supply power to the electric heater andthis is desirable because it makes certain that the water flowing outthrough the nipple 64 and the water-distributing spray 66 is quite hot,and also assures prompt heating of the cooler water which enters thebottom of the water-heating tank 36 and rises upwardly in that tank :asthe hot water is drawn off through the nipple 64. The float-operatedinlet valve 56 will permit enough water to enter the cool water tank 34to replenish the water that is drawn out of the water-heating tank 36through the nipple 64 and the water-distributing spray 66.

The hot water will continue to flow from the openings 68 in thewater-distributing spray 66 throughout the cycle of the timer 100; but,when that timer reaches the end of its cycle, the releasing cam 102 willengage and raise the free end of the latch 106. As that free end israised, the catch 108 on the bottom of that latch will be raisedupwardly out of the notch 82 in the disk 80. Thereupon, the helicalextension spring 92 will raise the connecting rod 88 upwardlytherebyraising the lever 70 and the water-distributing spray 66 to the raisedposition shown by FIGS. 2-4. Thereupon, no further hot water will beable to pass outwardly through the nipple 64 and the water-distributingspray 66. That helical extension spring 92 also will rotate the disk 80in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 8thus causing the ear 84 torotate the shaft 76 in the counter clockwise direction and also shiftingthe mercury switch 87 to a position where the mercury no longer bridgesthe contacts of that switch. At that time the timer 100 becomesde-energized and automatically restores itself to its normal position.The normal cycle provided by the timer 100 is approximately threeminutes; but that cycle can be lengthened or shortened as desired.

The electric heater 110 will continue to heat the water within thewater-heating tank 36 until that water reaches the desired temperature.Thereupon, the thermostat 114 will de-energize that heater until suchtime as the temperature of the water adjacent the temperature-sensingbulb 116 thereof again falls below the desired level.

After the brewed coffee has passed from the funnel 120 into thecontainer 130, and that happens very quickly, the operator will want toremove the funnel 120 with its filter and spent coffee grounds. In doingso, she will grasp the handle 122 of the funnel 120 and pull it towardher. However, she will be unable to pull that funnel straight out fromits position atop the horizontally-directed arms of the L-shapedbrackets 40 and 44, because the rear faces of the projections 42 and 46will lie in the path of the flange at the top of that funnel and becausethose rear faces are vertically-directed. Consequently, to remove thefunnel 120 from its position atop the horizontally-directed arms of theL-shaped brackets 40 and 44, the operator must raise upwardly on thehandle 122 and guide the flange at the top of that funnel over theprojections 42 and 46; and the raising of that handle is important,because it forces the residual brewed coffee within the funnel 120 tomove away from the spout 124. If the operator then holds that funnel sothe side opposite the handle is lower than the side to which that handleis attached, that operator can carry the funnel 120 without permittingany brewed coffee to drip from the spout 124. As the flange at the topof the funnel 120 is forced to move upwardly to pass over theprojections 42 and 46, the cover 128 will rotate upwardly to permit thatflange to move upwardly.

After the filter and the spent coffee grounds have been emptied from thefunnel 120, the grid 126 within that funnel will be suitably cleaned.Thereafter, a further filter 130 and a further quantity of ground coffee132 will be disposed within the funnel 120; and that funnel will bereturned to its position atop the horizontally-directed arms of theL-shaped brackets 40 and 44.

It will be noted that the only valve in the water system of thecoffee-brewing device provided by the present invention is thefloat-operated inlet valve 56. That valve is never contacted by hotwater, and hence it will have little or no tendency to line up. Further,the rate of flow of water through that valve is not critical; and hencethat valve will seldom require cleaning and will rarely, if ever, needto be replaced.

Hot water does flow through the water-distributing spray 66 and throughthe water-distributing openings 68 therein. However, because thatwater-distributing spray is made of a flexible material, which is highlyresistant liming," most coffee-brewing devices that are made inaccordance with the principles and teachings of the present inventionwill experience little or no liming of the water-distributing spray.However, in areas where the water is unusually hard, liming of thatwater-distributing spray may occur; but the deposits of lime can easilybe removed from that spray by removing the plug 67 in the free end ofthat spray and forcing a stiff brush through that spray and by thenforcing smaller stiff brushes through the openings 68 in that spray. Asa result, the coffee-brewing device provided by the present invention issubstantially, if not completely, free from the lime-induced servicecalls and replacement costs experienced with many coffee-brewing deviceswhich brew substantial quantities of coffee and then keep that coffeehot.

The water within the water-heating tank 36 will be kept at an elevatedtemperature, and will thus tend to vaporize. Even where the water in thewater-heating tank 36 is kept hot for long periods of time, that watercannot vaporize to the extent that it exposes the surfaces of the heater110; because the float-operated inlet valve 56 will always keep thelevel of the Water in the water-heating tank 36 high enough tocompletely immerse that electric heater. Consequently, thecoffee-brewing device provided by the present invention is free from theservice calls and replacement costs due to the burning out of electricheaters, that is experienced in many coffee-brewing devices which makelarge quantities of coffee and then keep that coffee hot.

To increase the rate at which the hot water flows outwardly through theopenings 68 in the water-distributing spray 66, it is only necessary torotate the nut 98 to lower the initial position of the lever 70 and thuslower the initial position of the water-distributing spray 66. Thelowering of those initial positions provides a corresponding lowering ofthe lowered position of that water-distributing spray. The resultinglarger hydraulic head will increase the rate at which the hot water willflow out of the openings 68 in that spray. To decrease the rate at whichthe hot water flows out of the openings 68 in the water-distributingspray 66, the nut 98 can be rotated to raise the initial position of thelever 70 and thus raise the initial position of that spray. This meansthat by adjusting the setting of the nut 98which is easilyaccomplishedthe rate at which the hot water is sprayed onto the coffee132 can be adjusted. Preferably, the hot water will flow out of theopenings 68 at the rate of about onesixth of a gallon per minute but itcan flow out of those openings at the rate of one-half gallon perminute.

The length of the cycle of the timer 100 can easily be adjusted bychanging the setting of that timer. A longer cycle permits the catch 108on the under surface of the latch 106 to lodge Within the notch 82 inthe disk for a longer period of time before the releasing cam 102 of thetimer engages and raises the free end of that latch. A shorter timecycle permits the catch 108 on the under surface of the latch 106 to beraised up out of the notch 82 in the disk 80 after a shorter timeinterval. This means that the coffee-brewing device provided by thepresent invention provides a readily adjustable coffee-brewing cycle. Byappropriate adjustment of the length of the coffee-brewing cycle, byadjustment of the rate of flow of hot water through theWater-distributing spray 66, or by adjustment of both, the user of thecoffee-brewing device of the present invention can easily utilize manydifferent grinds and kinds of coffee.

In the event the operator wished to time the cycle of the coffee-brewingdevice without using the timer 100, she could rotate the knob 78 in theclockwise direction until the notch 82 in the disk 80 moved intoregister with, and was held by, the catch 108 on the under surface ofthe latch 106. At such time, the water-distributing spray 66 will havebeen moved down into waterdistributing position, and it will be held inthat position by the lodgment of the catch 108 within the notch 82.Thereafter, after any desired length of time selected by the operator,the knob 78 could be rotated in the counter clockwise direction untilthe L-shaped arm 81 on the shaft 76 engaged the under surface of thelatch 106 and raised the free end of the latch upwardly far enough tofree the catch 108 from the notch 82. Thereupon, the helical extensionspring 92 would raise the water-distributing spray 66 up to its normalposition, and thereby prevent the drawing of further hot water from thewaterheating tank 36.

The coffee-brewing device of the present invention also makes itpossible to draw any desired amounts of hot Water from the water-heatingtank 36to make tea, chocolate or the like. To draw hot water from thattank, the funnel 120 will be set in position but will not have a filteror ground coifee in it; and that funnel will act solely as a tunnel tocollect the hot water from the openings 68 in the water-distributingspray 66 and cause that hot water to pass through the spout 124 into thecup or other receptacle held below that spout. The operator will rotatethe knob 78 in the clockwise direction until the catch 108 on the underface of the latch 106 is held by the notch 82 in the disk 80; and thewater-distributing spray 66 will be moved into its lowered position asshe does so. Then, when the operator wants to shut off the flow of hotwater, she will rotate the knob 78 in the counterclockwise directionuntil the L-shaped arm 81 raises the latch 106 upwardly to permit thedisk 80 to rotate in the counterclockwise directionand at such time thespring 92 will move the water-distributing spray 66 upwardly to shut olfany further flow of hot water.

The cross section of the cool water tank 34 is made smaller than thecross section of the water-heating tank 36, and the upper portion of theWater-heating tank 36 is made smaller than the cross section of thelower portion of that tank to enable the levels of the water withinthose tanks to drop quickly whenever hot water is drawn from thewater-heating tank 36. If desired, the upper portion of the tank 36could be given a reduced cross section other than by inclining the upperportion of the front wall of that tank.

As water enters the cool water tank 34, the temperature of that waterwill usually be below the temperature within the room where thecoffee-brewing device is located. Thereupon, the heat in the air withinthat room will start to heat that water. Also, heat that is radiatedfrom the water-heating tank 36 will tend to heat the water in the tank34. As a result, less total amount of heat will have to be applied tothe water in the water-heating tank 36 by the electric heater 110 thanwould be required if the water directly entered that water-heating tank.

Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown anddescribed a preferred embodiment of the present invention it should beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made inthe form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A coffee-brewing device that comprises:

a water-heating tank,

level-responsive means to keep the water level in said water-heatingtank substantially constant,

a water-distributing spray that is connected to said water-heating tankand that has a plurality of spray openings therein,

said spray openings being spaced apart and being directed to sprayheated water outwardly from said water-distributing spray in apredetermined spray pattern,

a support that is adapted to dispose said water-distributing spray in aposition wherein said spray openings are above said water level in saidwater-heating tank to keep water from spraying out of said sprayopenings,

said support being adapted to dispose said water-distributing spray in asecond and lower position wherein said spray openings are" below saidwater level in said water-heating tank to develop a hydraulic head thatwill cause water to spray out of said spray openings at a predeterminedrate,

said support normally disposing said water-distributing spray in thefirst said position, said support being selectively movable to disposesaid water-distributing spray in said second postion,

said water-distributing spray coacting with said water level to serve asa water distributor, a flow rate control and an on-oif valve.

2. A coifee-brewing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidwater-distributing spray is an elongated length of flexible tubing, saidelongated length of flexible tubing being made of material which isresistant to liming up, said elongated length of flexible tubing havinga portion thereof which bends whenever said support moves saidwater-distributing spray between said positions, said spray openingsbeing spaced outwardly beyond said bendable portion of said elongatedlength of flexible tubing and moving upwardly and downwardly as saidsupport moves said water-distributing spray to the first said positionand then to said second position.

3. A colTee-brewing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein an adjustingmechanism can be adjusted to adjust the level of said water-distributingspray relative to said water level in said water-heating tank wheneversaid water-distributing spray is disposed in said second position, theadjustment in said level of said water-distributing spray adjusting thevalve of the hydraulic head on the water in said water-distributingspray and thereby adjusting the rate of flow of water out of said sprayopenings.

4. A coffee-brewing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidwater-distributing spray is an elongated length of flexible tubing,wherein a removable plug is normally disposed within the free end ofsaid elongated length of flexible tubing, and wherein said plug isremovable to permit a stiff brush to be inserted into said free end ofsaid elongated length of flexible tubing to remove lime deposits withinthe interior of said elongated length of flexible tubing.

5. A coffee-brewing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a biasingelement biases said support for movement toward an foif" positionwherein said support holds said water-distributing spray in the firstsaid position, said biasing element being yieldable to permit saidsupport to be moved to an on position wherein said support holds saidwater-distributing spray in said second position, wherein a latchreleasably holds said support in said on position to releasably holdsaid water-distributing spray in said second position, and whereintripping means can trip said latch to permit said biasing element tomove said support to said off position and thereby move saidwater-distributing spray to said first said position.

6. A coffee brewing device as claimed in claim 1 Wherein saidwater-distributing spray is an elongated length of flexible tubing,wherein said spray openings are located in the lower face of apredetermined section of said elongated length of flexible tubing andare directed downwardly, wherein a portion of said elongated length offlexible tubing which is intermediate said water-heating tank and saidpredetermined section of said elongated length of flexible tubing bendswhenever said support is moved to move said water-distributing spraybetween said positions, and wherein said support disposes said sprayopenings close to a horizontal plane whenever said support disposes saidWater-distributing spray in said second position.

7. A coffee-brewing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cam can movesaid support to an on position to hold said water-distributing spray insaid second position, wherein a latch can releasably hold said cam insupportholding position, wherein an electrically-operated timer can movesaid latch to cam-releasing position, and wherein a switch is movablewith said cam, said switch being closed and energizing said timerwhenever said cam is in support-holding position, whereby said cam canmove said support to said on position and can close said switch, andwhereby said timer can substantially and automatically move said latchto cam-freeing position, thereby permitting said switch to re-open andpermitting said support to move said water-distributing spray to thefirst said position.

8. A coffee-brewing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cam can movesaid support to an on position to hold said water-distributing spray insaid second position, wherein a latch can releasably hold said cam insupporthold ing position, wherein an electrically-operated timer canmove said latch to cam-releasing position, and wherein a switch ismovable with said cam, wherein a shaft is rotatable relative to saidcam, and wherein an arm is movable with said shaft in one direction torotate said cam and is movable with said shaft in the opposite directionto move said latch out of cam-holding position, said switch being closedand energizing said timer whenever said cam is in support-holdingposition, said shaft being rotatable in said one direction to rotatesaid cam to said on position and to close said switch, said timersubsequently and automatically moving said latch to cam-freeingposition, thereby permitting said switch to re-open and permitting saidsupport to move said waterdistributing spray to the first said position,said shaft being selectively rotatable in said opposite direction tomove said latch out of cam-holding position before said timer moves saidlatch to cam-freeing position in the event a shortened time cycle isdesired.

9. A coffee-brewing device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a cam can movesaid support to an on position to hold said water-distributing spray insaid second position, wherein a latch can releasably hold said cam insupportholding position, wherein an electrically-operated timer can movesaid latch to cam-releasing position, and wherein a switch is movablewith said cam, wherein a shaft is rotatable in one direction to rotatesaid cam and is rotatable in the opposite direction to move said latchout of cam-holding position, said switch being closed and energizingsaid timer whenever said cam is in supportholding position, said timerproviding automatic movement of said latch to cam-freeing position,thereby permitting said switch to re-open and permitting said support tomove said water-distributing spray to the first said position, saidshaft providing selectively-controlled movement of said latch tocam-freeing position, thereby permitting said switch to re-open andpermitting said support to move said water-distributing spray to thefirst said position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,688,911 9/1954 Hochmayr 99-305X 3,179,035 4/1965 Lockett 99-283 X 3,218,955 11/1965 Lorang 99-281 XROBERT W. JENKINS, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 99-300

